Unemployment rates drop in tri-city area

The employment picture improved in the tri-city area in April as every community saw its unemployment numbers drop, according to the latest state figures.

Glendale and Pasadena reported the biggest jobless rate decreases, both coming in with 0.7% declines at 9.6% and 8.4%, respectively, according to statistics released today by the California Employment Development Department.

Burbank was close behind with a 9% unemployment rate, a 0.6% drop from March.

The strongest employment growth was reported in retail, employment services and utilities, according to the statistics.

Statewide, the jobless rate was 10.9% in April, edging down from 11% in March.

The unemployment number in the La Crescenta-Montrose area decreased from 5.9% in March to 5.4% last month, and La Cañada Flintridge saw its jobless rate drop to 4.3%, a 0.3% decline from March.

San Marino and South Pasadena both reported their unemployment rates declined by 0.4%, coming in at 5% and 5.5%, respectively.

-- Mark Kellam, Times Community News

Twitter: @LAMarkKellam